Interim Results

RNS Number : 3770Y
Steppe Cement Limited
02 September 2009
 



Steppe Cement Ltd

Interim Results for the Half Year Ended 30 June 2009

and General Market Update



1. Interim Results


Steppe Cement Ltd ('Steppe Cement') posted a consolidated loss after tax of USD18.8 million for the six months ended 30 June 2009.


Steppe Cement's operating results are summarised below:



6 months

ended

30 June 09

6 months

ended

30 June 08

% of change

Sales (Tonnes)

442,227

412,042

7%

Consolidated turnover (USD Million)

24.8

52.2

(54%)

Consolidated (loss)/profit after tax (USD Million)

(18.8)

14.6

 

(Loss)/earnings per share (Cents)

(15.0)

12.8

 

Average exchange rate (USD/KZT)

145.1

120.5

 


At the operational level, sales decreased by 44% in Tenge ('KZT') while volumes increased by 7%. The average sales price decreased from USD126/tonne to USD54 /tonne during the period or USD51/tonne based on the closing exchange rate as of 30 June 2009. Prices have been increasing since April through July 2009.


Production costs per tonne decreased by 18% in USD and by 2% in KZT, a level below the inflation rate in Kazakhstan. The decline can be attributed to savings in labor, transportation and material cost such as coal, metal and oil that offset the increases in electricity prices.


Steppe Cement had taken measures to significantly limit production and operational expenses during the first half of 2009 to preserve cash and, as a result of these initiatives, Steppe Cement managed to reduce approximately USD 1 million in labour costs during the first half. The number of employees declined from 1,546 to 1,199 as at the end of June 2009.


The financial performance has been affected mainly by:

  • The devaluation of the KZT from 120.8 in December 2008 to 150.4 KZT/USD as at 30 June 2009. This caused book losses of USD 13.1 million after translation of USD denominated long term debts of USD 62 million.

  • The lower price of cement from USD 126 /tonne to USD 54/tonne as a consequence of both the devaluation and the market contraction. 

2. Update on the Kazakh cement market


The Kazakhstan cement market decreased by 24% during the first half of the year. The imported cements' share has gone down from 33% to 15% of the total market while overall local production volume decreased by 2%.


Steppe Cement expects a market of 4.7 to 5 million tons in 2009 a decrease of 15% compared to 2008. The monthly figures for June and July suggest better volumes and prices better than were expected in the earlier part of the year. The monthly consumption pattern is reverting to the trend seen in 2005.


Prices are expected to increase in the second half of 2009 and volumes are anticipated to be similar to those of 2008. Cement imports will be reduced compared to those of 2008 as local factories increase or maintain their production levels.


Bank lending to the construction sector is only resuming and projects started in 2007 and 2008 will be completed slowly.


As part of the effort to stimulate the economy, the Kazakhstan Government has made funds available to the two major banks. Samruk Kazina (the Government's main investment agency) has been mandated to complete significant projects in Astana and has signed a memorandum with the cement factories to supply one million tonnes of cement until the end of 2010. These quantities don't include the road projects that have been approved and are at the stage of design development.


3. Production and refurbishment progress


Line 6 production started in October 2008 but weak market volumes, lower prices and increasing stocks forced Steppe Cement to take the decision to close it for two months in the first half of 2009. Production resumed in March 2009 and has been increasing monthly through July. 


Line 6 reliability has improved although there are still improvements to be implemented in the cooler and kiln inlet areas. The crushers, mills and kiln have performed according to expectations.


During July Steppe Cement completed the commissioning of the second string of the pre-heater of line 6 and expects this to bring an increase in production from 1400 tonnes per day ('tpd') of clinker to between 1,700 to 2,000 tpd of clinker or the equivalent of 2100 to 2,500 tpd of cement.


The completion of the new chain system of kiln 1 in the wet lines in August has finally brought the expected increase of production to nearly 600 tonnes per day, however commissioning has taken longer than anticipated.

 

All the cement mills in the wet lines area are now in working condition and this will allow Steppe Cement to reduce or stop transportation of clinker from the wet to the dry lines as has been the case over the last few years.


Steppe Cement decided to defer the line 5 refurbishment until there is some visibility in the evolution of demand and prices in 2010.


4. Financing


Steppe Cement partially repaid the long term loans through short term facilities and a portion from the proceeds of USD15 million raised via the Offer for Subscription exercise completed in May. The Offer for Subscription was more than two times oversubscribed and 88% of the existing shareholders subscribed the new shares. 


Steppe Cement will maintain the current cash balance as a reserve for the repayment of the principal of the long term loans from EBRD and HSBC. Steppe Cement will also devote its operating cash flows until the end of the year to reduce the short term debt that has already been reduced to USD 5 million in August 2009.


Steppe Cement is benefiting from the current low interest rates as its long term debts are indexed to LIBOR.


 

A pdf copy of the announcement and the full interim financial statements is available on the company's website at www.steppecement.com.


Steppe Cement's AIM nominated adviser is RFC Corporate Finance Ltd. Contact Stephen Allen or Trinity McIntyre at +61 8 94802500.


  SUMMARY OF INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)


The Notes to the Interim Financial Statements form an integral part of the Condensed Financial Statements.  Please visit the Company's website at www.steppecement.com to view the full interim financial statements.     



STEPPE CEMENT LTD 

(Incorporated in Labuan FT, Malaysia under the Offshore Companies Act, 1990)

AND ITS SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT 

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2009 (UNAUDITED)






The Group


The Company




6 months ended


6 months ended




30.6.09

30.6.08


30.6.09

30.6.08




USD'000

USD'000


USD'000

USD'000









Revenue



24,844

52,269


50

50









Cost of sales



(18,320)

(20,305)


-

-




-----------

-------------


-------------

-------------

Gross profit



6,524

31,964


50

50









Selling expenses



(3,826)

(3,114)


-

-

General and administrative expenses



(5,407)

(6,754)


(314)

(344)




-----------

-------------


--------------

-------------

Operating (loss)/profit



(2,709)

22,096


(264)

(294)









Investment income



59

3


1

-

Finance costs



(3,640)

(1,048)


-

-

Other income/(expense), net



(13,204)

80


-

11




-----------

-------------


--------------

-------------

(Loss)/profit before tax



(19,494)

21,131


(263)

(283)









Income tax credit/(expense)



697

(6,531)


-

-




-----------

-------------


--------------

------------

(Loss)/profit for the period



(18,797)

14,600


(263)

(283)




-----------

-------------


--------------

-------------

Attributable to:








Shareholders of the company



(18,797)

14,600


(263)

(283)




-----------

-------------


--------------

-------------

(Loss)/earnings per share:








Basic (cents)



   (15)

   12.8







------------

------------





  

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2009 (UNAUDITED)






The Group


The Company





6 months ended


6 months ended





30.6.09


30.6.08


30.6.09


30.6.08





USD'000


USD'000


USD'000


USD'000













(Loss)/profit for the period



(18,797)


14,600


(263)


(283)













Other comprehensive (loss)/income:






















Exchange differences arising on translation of foreign subsidiary companies



(27,370)


27


-


-





-----------


------------


------------


------------


Total comprehensive (loss)/income for the period



(46,167)


14,627


(263)


(283)













Attributable to:











Shareholders of the company



(46,167)


14,627


(263)


(283)





-----------


------------


------------


------------







  


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 30 JUNE 2009 (UNAUDITED)






The Group


The Company





Unaudited


Audited


Unaudited


Audited





As at


As at


As at


As at





30.6.09


31.12.08


30.6.09


31.12.08





USD'000


USD'000


USD'000


USD'000


Assets






















Non-Current Assets











  Property, plant and equipment



136,464


172,250


-


-


Investment in subsidiary companies



-


-


26,500


26,500


  Advances paid



6,182


9,146


-


-


  Other assets



25,562


33,492


-


-





------------


------------


-------------


-------------


Total Non-Current Assets



168,208


214,888


26,500


26,500





------------


------------


-------------


-------------













Current Assets











  Inventories, net



14,286


20,509


-


-


  Trade receivable, net



704


958


-


-


Amount owing by subsidiary companies



-


-


6,064


747


Other receivables, advances and prepaid expenses



8,803


8,950


9


4


  Short-term investments



2,102


2,391


-


-


  Cash and bank balances 



10,824


730


8,762


135





------------


------------


-------------


-------------


Total Current Assets



36,719


33,538


14,835


886





------------


------------


------------


-------------


Total Assets



204,927


248,426


41,335


     27,386





------------


-----------


------------


-------------



































  




The Group


The  Company




Unaudited


Audited


Unaudited


Audited




As at


As at


As at


As at




30.6.09


31.12.08


30.6.09


31.12.08




USD'000


USD'000


USD'000


USD'000

Equity and Liabilities




















Capital and Reserves










  Share capital



1,540


1,140


1,540


1,140

Share premium



41,296


26,647


41,296


26,647

Revaluation reserve



3,365


3,365


-


-

Translation reserve



(21,970)


5,400


-


-

Retained earnings/(Accumulated losses)



73,572


92,369


(2,631)


(2,368)




------------


-------------


------------


------------

Total Equity



97,803


128,921


40,205


25,419




------------


-------------


------------


------------

Non-Current Liabilities










  Bonds



18,378


22,871


-


-

  Loans



49,081


55,090


-


-

  Deferred tax liabilities, net



9,113


9,547


-


-




------------


-------------


------------


------------

Total Non-Current Liabilities



76,572


87,508


-


-




------------


-------------


------------


------------

Current Liabilities










  Trade payable



7,521


12,341


-


-

Other payables and accrued     liabilities



4,476


2,856


679


666

  Loans



18,096


14,988


-


-

Amount owing to subsidiary companies



-


-


451


1,301

 Taxes payable



459


1,812


-


-




------------


------------


------------


------------

Total Current Liabilities



30,552


31,997


1,130


1,967




------------


------------


------------


------------

Total Liabilities



107,124


119,505


1,130


1,967




------------


-------------


------------


------------

Total Equity and Liabilities



204,927


248,426


41,335


27,386




------------


-------------


------------


------------



CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2009 (UNAUDITED)





Non-distributable

Distributable


The Group

Sharecapital

Sharepremium

Revaluation reserve

Translation reserve

Retained earnings

Total/Net


USD'000

USD'000

USD'000

USD'000

USD'000

USD'000








   Balance as at 1 January 2008

1,140

26,647

4,602

5,590

72,490

110,469

Exchange differences arising 

  on translation of foreign  

  subsidiary companies

-

-

-

27

-

27

   Profit for the period

-

-

-

-

14,600

14,600


------------

------------

------------

-----------

-------------

------------

  Total comprehensive income for

     the period

-

-

-

27

14,600

14,627


------------

-------------

------------

-----------

-------------

------------

   Balance as at 30 June 2008

1,140

26,647

4,602

5,617

87,090

125,096


------------

-------------

------------

-----------

-------------

------------



  

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2009 (UNAUDITED)





Non-distributable

Distributable


The Group

Sharecapital

Sharepremium

Revaluation reserve

Translation reserve

Retained earnings

Total/Net


USD'000

USD'000

USD'000

USD'000

USD'000

USD'000








   Balance as at 1 January 2009

1,140

26,647

3,365

5,400

92,369

128,921








   Loss for the period

-

-

-

-

(18,797)

(18,797)

Exchange differences arising

  on translation of foreign

  subsidiary  companies 

-

-

-

(27,370)

-

(27,370)


-----------

-------------

------------

-----------

-------------

------------

Total comprehensive loss for

  the period

-

-

-

(27,370)

(18,797)

(46,167)

Issue of shares 

400

14,688

-

-

-

15,088

Share issue expenses 

-

(39)

-

-

-

(39)


-----------

-------------

------------

-----------

-------------

------------

   Balance as at 30 June 2009

1,540

41,296

3,365

(21,970)

73,572

97,803


-----------

-------------

------------

-----------

-------------

------------



  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2009 (UNAUDITED)




Non-distributable



The Company

Sharecapital

Sharepremium

Accumulated Losses

Total/Net 


USD'000

USD'000

USD'000

USD'000






   Balance as at 1 January 2008

1,140

26,647

(1,879)

25,908






   Loss for the period

-

-

(283)

(283)


-----------

-------------

------------

-----------

Total comprehensive loss

  for the period

-

-

(283)

(283)


-----------

-------------

------------

-----------

   Balance as at 30 June 2008

1,140

26,647

(2,162)

25,625


-----------

-------------

------------

-----------






   Balance as at 1 January 2009

1,140

26,647

(2,368)

25,419






   Loss for the period

-

-

(263)

(263)


-----------

-------------

------------

-----------

Total comprehensive loss for

   the period

-

-

(263)

(263)

Issue of shares 

400

14,688

-

15,088

Share issue expenses

-

(39)

-

(39)


-----------

-------------

------------

------------

   Balance as at 30 June 2009

1,540

41,296

(2,631)

40,205


-----------

-------------

------------

-----------


   



CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2009 (UNAUDITED)






The Group


The Company




6 months ended


6 months ended




30.6.09


30.6.08


30.6.09


30.6.08




USD'000


USD'000


USD'000


USD'000











OPERATING ACTIVITIES










   (Loss)/profit before tax



(19,494)


21,131


(263)


(283)

   Adjustments for non-cash items



19,259


2,886


-


-




---------------


--------------


----------------


------------

Operating (Loss)/Profit Before Working Capital Changes



(235)


24,017


(263)


(283)











  (Increase)/ Decrease in:










   Inventories



6,222


(264)


-


-

   Trade receivables



254


(348)


-


-

Other receivable and prepaid 

   expenses



147


3,210


(6)


(40)

Amount owing by subsidiary companies



-


-


(5,317)


-

   Increase/ (Decrease) in:










Trade payables



(4,820)


5,503


-


-

Other payables and accrued

  liabilities



1,620


2,261


12


(46)

Amount owing to subsidiary 

  companies



-


-


(849)


408




---------------


--------------


----------------


-------------

Cash Generated From/

(Used In) Operations



3,188


34,379


(6,423)


39

  Income tax paid



(1,090)


(8,301)


-


-

  Interest paid



(3,617)


(1,006)


-


-




---------------


---------------


----------------


-------------

Net Cash (Used In)/From Operating Activities



(1,519)


25,072


(6,423)


39




---------------


--------------


----------------


-------------











INVESTING ACTIVITIES










Proceeds from disposal of 

  property, plant and equipment



3


1


-


-

Purchase of property, plant

  and equipment



(505)


(54,185)


-


-

Proceeds from short-term

  investments



289


-


-


-

Purchase of non-current assets



-


(2,206)


-


-

Interest received



59


3


-


-




---------------


--------------


----------------


-------------

Net Cash Used In Investing Activities



(154)


(56,387)


-


-




-------------


------------


---------------


------------











FINANCING ACTIVITIES










  Proceeds from issue of shares



15,088


-


15,088


-

  Share issue expenses



(39)


-


(39)


-

  (Net Repayment)/Proceeds

   from borrowings



(3,216)


32,708


-


-




----------------


-------------


---------------


------------

Net Cash From by Financing Activities



11,833


32,708


15,049


-




----------------


-------------


--------------


------------

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS



10,160


1,393


8,626


39











  EFFECTS OF FOREIGN  

    EXCHANGE RATE

    CHANGES



(66)


3


-


-











CASH AND CASH

  EQUIVALENTS AT 

  BEGINNING OF THE

  PERIOD



730


5,573


136


169




-------------


-------------


--------------


-----------

CASH AND CASH 

  EQUIVALENTS AT END

  PERIOD



10,824


6,969


8,762


208




---------------


-------------


--------------


-----------



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